#PelotonDads On Being There For The Moments That Matter

For Peloton Members and fathers who proudly represent #PelotonDads on the Leaderboard, working out at home allows them to be there for the moments that matter for their families. From a quick sweat on their Peloton TV App to squeezing in a 30-minute ride before the kids wake up, #PelotonDads see their time spent with Peloton as an investment in bettering themselves and, as a result, their families.

Here’s what some #PelotonDads had to say:

Brian F.

“2020 has been a tough year for a lot of people—especially parents. My wife and I are both teachers, and the constant shuffle from in-person learning to remote to hybrid and back again took its toll on kids and parents. Though 2020 was never short on unexpected surprises, in September, we learned my wife was pregnant with miracle child number two! I found balancing the expectations of work and home to be overwhelming at times.

"When it seemed like needs and expectations never ended between work and home, I needed the ability to transition from my responsibilities as one to the other. The 30 minutes a day that I could carve out for a Peloton workout allowed me that precious time to transition my mind from a work mindset to a dad mindset. It centered me, and allowed my mind to be present for my family. Whether it was a hike, a strength workout, yoga or meditation, that time cleared my mind of the challenges of the day and put me front and center for my son, my wife and our growing child.

"We welcomed our newest addition on May 1, healthy and happy. Now, with little sleep, my wife and I both find solace in the time we spend working out giving our minds and body time to rest, rejuvenate and become healthy and strong. For the moments that matter, Peloton is a critical partner in my family's happiness.”

Rafael G.

“As a new dad, I see myself on a daily basis surrounded by a multitude of priceless memories with my loved ones. Some of these moments I have lived, while countless others are part of my dreams and hopes. As a cardiologist, I have always believed that diet, good habits, exercise and happiness are some of the most essential rules for a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Moreover, I understand that in order to help others and be there for my family, I also have to follow these rules. Peloton provides the perfect blend of cardiovascular and mental health that has allowed my present-self to stay healthy, irrespective of the crazy working hours away from home. Hopefully, this perfect balance that Peloton has brought will allow me to continue making more beautiful memories with my family, which for me are the moments that matter most, for many years to come.”

Evan L.

“Growing into fatherhood entails, in no small measure, putting the needs of the developing humans entrusted to your care ahead of yourself: before your self-interests, before your hobbies. Peloton helps me find enough spare moments to do something for me. There’s no need to work around class schedules or spend hours at the gym. I go straight from bedtime stories to sweating it out on the Bike. I get everything I need to crush my day-to-day life in an hour.”

Bobby B.

"I believe Peloton gives me the energy I need to be ready for my day. I wake up looking forward to the ride. When I’m done, I feel like I can focus on what matters. It could be my kids needing me to play and watch them jump around or if it’s my role as a fatherhood coordinator to encourage dads to be the best they can be for their kids. I love being able to get my day started using the Peloton and being present for my kids is my motivation."

Roger E.

“As far as being there for the moments that matter most, Peloton has indeed helped balance the important ‘me time’ in getting a workout in, while being there for those special little moments: making the kids breakfast, playing Lego with my five-year-old son at 7:00 on a Saturday morning—all while squeezing in a challenging workout before our little ones come barging in. Before getting our Peloton Bike, there was a tradeoff: Either risk missing the fun moments to travel to the gym, work out and drive back, or slip in short, unsatisfying at-home exercise sessions with the limited free time as a dad of two young children. Now I can get that fun, fulfilling workout from the Bike and the app classes and still be meaningfully present for my kiddos. What’s more, the Peloton Instructors remind and encourage parents to take the important time for self-care. Balancing family, work and personal fitness as a father and a husband is never easy, but Peloton helps make that balance possible.”

Eric M.

“The most accurate description of how I internalize #PelotonDads is through the oxygen mask analogy. Anyone that has flown has heard, ‘If you’re traveling with a child, secure your mask first and then assist the other person.’ My kids deserve me at my best, and sometimes that means a short-term sacrifice in parenting goals so that I can be the dad that brings me (and my kids) enormous pride and joy. Parents today are scrutinized and judged with every decision or interaction.

The judgments may be my own fabrications, or they might be passive/direct, but I’m absolutely influenced by my own thoughts and those within my village. I’ve been embarrassed to share that I’ll often allow Disney+ (bless you Pixar) to babysit my toddler while I quickly knock out an early morning climb ride, or if I’m feeling naughty, a full 30 minutes of intervals & arms. But, I’ve come to the conclusion that I shouldn’t feel ashamed, I need to embrace that I need oxygen to be the best me … for them.

So, if I need to turn on Toy Story 3 to get on the Bike, I’m going to think of Andy letting go of Woody: 'But the thing that makes Woody special is he’ll never give up on you … ever. He’ll be there for you, no matter what.' Today, I let go of the judgments and make sure I’m ready and able to be a dad for the long-term.”